MidAmerica cruises past Hope

Last year, MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) came into the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship on a 20-game winning streak and were one of the favorites to win it all.

So what happened? The Pioneers were ousted in the first round for the second-straight year.

“We were supposed to be the team that finally made their statement at the national tournament,” MidAmerica Nazarene coach Jon Lewis said.

It might have been a year later, but that statement was finally made.

Junior Daria Shaw and senior Kendra Flemming led five players in double figures, as No. 4 MidAmerica Nazarene used a 37-11 run to roll to a 97-64 win over No. 5 Hope International University (Calif.) in the first round of the 34th annual NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship Thursday at the Frankfort Convention Center.

“Really coming out here we wanted to show everyone that we were here to play,” said Lewis, whose team features eight seniors.

The Pioneers (24-9) advance to the second round for the first time ever and will play top-seeded Westminster College (Utah) — a 66-50 winner over No. 8 William Woods University (Mo.) Thursday — today at 6:15 p.m. The Royals (23-10) were making their first-ever appearance in the National Championship.

“I think we played pretty solid all the way until the end,” Sprew said.
Sprew had 22 points and nine rebounds, while Flemming finished with 18 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Pioneers.

SHAWNEE STATE 94, OK. BAPTIST 91 OT
Senior Alannah Sheets scored 45 points to lead Shawnee State University (Ohio) to an overtime win over Oklahoma Baptist University in the first game of the second day.

The Bears (20-12), who advanced to the second round for the fifth-straight year, will play No. 3 Wiley (Texas) today at 4:30 p.m. The Bison (28-6) lost in the first round for the first time since 2008.

The Mid-South Conference Player of the Year went 13 for 20 from the field and 16 for 22 from the foul line for the Bears. She also grabbed five rebounds. Senior Priscila Santos had 28 points and five rebounds.

WILEY COLLEGE 74, MOBILE 72
Freshman Alexis Bernstine and junior Bianca Davis each hit a free throw in the final minute to give Wiley College (Texas) a come-from-behind win over the University of Mobile (Ala.).

The Lady Wildcats (28-4), who trailed by nine in the second half, advance to the second round for just the second time and will play No. 7 Shawnee State University (Ohio) today at 4:30 p.m. The Rams (23-9) were making their first national championship appearance since 2006.

WESTMINSTER 66, WILLIAM WOODS 50
Westminster College (Utah) used a 19-5 run in the first half and a 9-0 run in the second half to rout William Woods University (Mo.).

The Griffins (25-2) advance to the second round for the sixth-straight time and will play No. 4 MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) today at 6:15 p.m. The Owls (22-11) were the final team to qualify for the National Championship.